Gear Luggage

Any recommendations on a big ass duffel that will last longer than two trips through the airport loaded to the brim with gear. This is for checked bag. i carry on my 35L pack usually but heading out for three weeks on the west coast and going to have to check at least one bag in.

Check out Wild Things duffels. They make them up to 144L and they're nearly bulletproof.

Can't beat a haul bag for carting climbing gear on airlines. Picked a BD one up on special and used it for a few international and inter-state flights and its un-touched.

thrift store or surplus military duffle

All depends on what you want to DO with said baggage. Is this just to get it on a plane from point A to B or once there, will it end up on a Yak or something?

All those HUGE duffels are sexy and all until you weigh and measure the damn thing at check in and you get dinged for both an overweight AND oversize bag. Of course you sometimes have to just suck it up and pay for the gear hauling...

I've learned that MOST of my trips are best served with "normal" suitcase from Costco etc. Wheeled, durable and low profile.

When I DO need the "expedition duffel" my BD Huey has served me well.

No contest and dirt cheap for what you get.

fishproducts.com/catalog/pr…

BEHEMOTH BAG:
This monster duffel bag is a skycaps nightmare. The "Behemoth" is 41" long and has 18" diameter end pieces, which yields over 10,000 cubic inches of storage. The body is the same 28oz White Vinyl that we use on our haul bags for unreal longevity. The main carry handles are 2" seatbelt webbing with 1" tubular web padding the carry area. The full length zipper is the legendary #10 YKK, built for rugged use and long life. The full length of the zipper is covered by an 18oz Vinyl Coated Nylon protection strip secured by Velcro along the entire length. Carry handles on each end allow the bag to be carried easily by two people, lashed to the roof of your car, or wiggled into and out of tight spots. For the ultimate he-man trick it can be worn on your back (or other places, see photo) for short periods of time. $129.00ea. Tan only.

My 2 cents, buying a "big ass" duffel is sure to be a waste. I travel with a small climbing pack as a carry on, a large climbing pack as a check in, and one of these as a check in on big mountain trips:
CLICK HERE TO SEE DUFFEL

I can easily load the duffel up to 70+ lbs with ropes, rack, ice tools, goretex, jumping gear. With the 50lb weight limit for most flights, that means I usually have to pull the rack and other small heavy things out and fly with them in my carry on to make weight.

Anyway, my main point a duffel that size will already be maxxed out on weight long before size becomes an issue. If you are flying go with something the size of what I linked to above and you will be good to go. FYI the first ascent bag has shoulder straps a good opening and has proven very durable for me. I'm sure the patagonia and north face versions are good as well.

I've been using this REI Pack Duffel for a while now

rei.com/product/787296/rei-…

It's large enough to easy fit my entire hiking bag loaded with gear in it plus room to spare. It's been on several flights and even a three week trip down the CO River. It's quite durable, packs down to next to nothing and, best of all, it's super cheap.

Prior to that, I was using a RedHead canvas bag that I picked up at BassPro. It, too, is large enough to toss my bag in, but a bit tighter on extra space (read: none). I had this bag for many years and it endured more then a few beatings at the airport. However, it costs quite a bit more.

basspro.com/RedHead-Canvas-…

Stoic burls duffel from backcountry.com. Burly, cheap as its normally on sale, and comes in many sizes. I can fit trad gear, rope, clothes, helmet, and even a climbing pack in mine for 5-6 day trips. If I need more I can carry on my pack...

I have a Stoic Wielded Haul and a North Face Base Camp. They're both good, but TNF is a bit higher quality and more comfortable to carry. I bought both duffels specifically to survive airports and travel.

I've got 2 of TNF duffels and I've used them for just about everything. Great bags if you can find them on sale.

^^ +1 ^^

I've found TNF Base camp (Sz Large) to be perfect as a check bag. With it full of clothes/gear it usually comes really close to 50#. It's an easy way to measure it that way. And it's practically bombproof, with carry and backpack straps. It's really easy to live out of for a while too.

I had a Columbia Lode Hauler for a while and it held up really well though the lining seemed burlier than the exterior, oddly. I don't know that it would be my choice for taking abuse in the field but for throwing around airports and the backs (or tops) of vans, it was great.

No backpack straps or D-shape zip opening, otherwise I'd probably get another one seeing as they're on cheap closeout right now at Sierra Trading Post.